How to Check-in at the Airport

Traveling by plane can be an extremely stressful experience, especially when it’s your first time finding your way around the airport. A lot of factors can affect your flight. However, there are many things you can do to get on your plane on time and intact.

Table of Contents

Preparing for the flight

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Flight confirmation. The night before your scheduled flight, double check to make sure everything is going according to plan. After purchasing your ticket, you will probably receive a confirmation email from the airline. Check this confirmation to make sure the flight time is the same. ^{[1] X Research Source}

If there is a change in flight times, don’t forget to adjust your travel plans accordingly. Depending on how long the delay is, it may affect your planned connecting flights. If you’re worried about missing your connecting flight because of this delay, contact your airline.
Until you arrive at the airport, continue to check flight status. Some airlines will send a text message announcing the change of flight time. However, it is important here that you continue to monitor the situation. Be especially careful during the rainy season or when bad weather is forecast as they often affect your flight.

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Organize documents. Without a ticket and ID card, you will not be able to board the plane. For riders over 14 years old, a driver’s license or passport is enough. If you are under the age of 14 and accompanied by an adult, you may not need to show identification. ^{[2] X Research Source}

If you are under 14 years old and traveling alone, contact the Department of Transport or other competent authorities to determine the type of identification you need.
If you are flying internationally, you will not be able to board the plane without your passport.
In the US, if you arrive at the airport without an ID card, you may still be able to fly. You will have to fill out some additional forms and answer a few TSA questions to verify your identity. ^{[3] X Trusted Source US Transportation Security Administration Go to source}
Keep documents in an easy-to-access place. You will have to present documents when checking in as well as when going through security checkpoints. So don’t store them in hard to reach places.

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Coming soon. Check-in is influenced by many different factors. So plan to arrive at least two hours before your flight time. ^{[4] X Source of Research} If traveling internationally, traveling with young children or someone with a disability, plan to arrive even earlier.

If driving, add parking time and take an express bus to your station if needed.
If this is your first time flying from an airport, factor in the time you get lost when navigating the airport.

Check-in for flight

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Find your airline. The first thing to do upon arrival at the airport is to find your airline. The airport is divided into several terminals and different airlines are located in different terminals. In addition, there is an arrival station and a departure station. You will have to find the departure terminal for your airline. You can determine which terminal it is by searching online, calling the airport or asking the airport staff.

If you’re taking public transport or have someone drive you to the airport, be sure to tell the airline’s name so they can drop you off at the correct building.

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Bagage deposit. Depending on what you’re carrying, you may need to check in one or two bags. In addition to a carry-on bag (such as a laptop bag or handbag), most airlines allow one carry-on bag. ^{[5] X Research Resources} If you’re planning to check in luggage, go straight to your airline’s counter.

If the bag is not checked in, skip this step and proceed with check-in right away.
Depending on the policy of each country and each airline, passengers are allowed to send up to two or more bags, but there are restrictions on the weight and size of the bags. Check with your carrier to see what those limits are.
Be careful, do not exceed the allowed limit because sending too much weight can cost you very expensive fees. ^{[6] X Research Source}

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Print boarding pass. To board the plane, you need a boarding pass. If you decide to drop off your luggage, show your ID to the airline staff and they will print your boarding pass for you. If you don’t send your luggage, you can still go to the airline’s check-in staff for help or choose a faster and easier option.

Some airlines have self-check-in counters. Just follow the instructions at this counter to print your boarding pass yourself. In the US, to use them, you only need a credit card to verify your identity. ^{[7] X Research Sources}
Some airlines also offer online check-in services. In this case, 24 hours before departure time, you will receive an email from the airline. Follow the instructions in this email to check in for your flight.
Print your boarding pass and bring it to the airport with you. If you have a smartphone, you can open your e-boarding pass with your phone and use it like a regular card.

Through the security check door

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Take off your jacket. To pass the security check successfully, you need to take off your shoes, jacket and belt. If wearing metal jewelry or accessories, remove them as well. These items will trigger the metal detector. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

In the US, if you’re over 75 or under 13 you won’t be asked to take off your shoes. You also won’t have to take off your shoes when participating in the TSA PRE CHECK program. ^{[9] X Research Source}
Check your pocket, shirt! Take a key or any other metal object that can trigger the detector to come out.
Try to remove excess clothing while waiting. The queue for security check-in moves very quickly when it’s almost their turn. Therefore, it is best to be as prepared as possible. Avoid wearing lace-up sneakers or shoes that are difficult to take off when in a hurry.
Once you’ve passed through security, leave and put your clothes back on. Most airports have benches or reserved seats so you don’t get in the way of security while getting ready for yourself.

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Take the laptop out. If traveling with a laptop, remove it from the bag and place it on the conveyor belt to be scanned. This is not necessary with smaller electronic devices, such as phones, Kindles or small video game consoles. You can still leave them in the bag. If you’re a member of the TSA Pre-Check program, you won’t need to take your laptop out. ^{[10] X Trusted Source US Transportation Security Administration Go to source}

Make sure you check all your pockets, make sure you don’t accidentally leave your phone or iPod in there. ^{[11] X Research Source}

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Remove the liquid and glue. If liquids or glues are to be carried, in many cases they need to be removed from the bag at the security checkpoint. For international flights, the total volume of liquids that you are allowed to bring with you and carry-on baggage is no more than one liter and should be stored in sealed bottles, jars, or containers with a capacity of no more than 100 ml. In general, this regulation varies from country to country. Therefore, it is best to do your research well before starting your trip. ^{[12] X Research Source}

In the US, TSA Pre-Check members do not need to remove liquids and glues from their bags. ^{[13] X Trusted Source US Transportation Security Administration Go to source}
If there are open bottles (such as mineral water or soft drinks), you will now be asked to throw them away. You can buy more water after you pass the security check.
Overall, it’s best to keep all your travel cosmetics in a 27cmx27cm Ziplock plastic bag. That way, when you have to take it out of your bag for security checks, you won’t have to find each bottle one by one. Cosmetics packaged in travel sizes are sold in most drugstores. ^{[14] X Research Source}
Don’t leave prohibited items in your pocket. Of course, you will not be allowed to bring any dangerous objects on board. However, there are some items that are not dangerous but are not allowed in hand luggage. For a complete list of what can be safely brought on board, check the CAAV website. ^{[15] X Research Source}

Check-in at the boarding gate

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Find your boarding gate. Once the security check is successful, it’s time to find your plane. Check your boarding pass, identify your door. Check again on the trip information board located just outside all security checkpoints. Once the door number is confirmed, go there.

Make sure that before you leave the security screening area you have everything you need. Don’t accidentally leave your laptop or jacket there.
If you are having trouble locating the exit door, ask the airport staff for help.

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Buy enough food and drink. Many airlines no longer serve food on their flights. If you’re going to have to fly a long flight or travel while dining, buy some food and water and bring it on the plane with you. Try to think of the people you’re flying with and don’t buy anything too smelly or messy (like eggs or tuna).

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Sit in the chair. Once you’ve got your food and found the exit, all you need to do is wait. If your flight is late or delayed due to weather or technical problems, you may have to wait a while. Bring something to pass the time, and sit near the boarding gate to hear when it’s time.

Advice

If you fly internationally, you will have to go through customs when you leave Vietnam. You will also have to clear customs when you arrive in your destination country and do it again when you return to your home country.
Check the website that matches the country you will be flying to.
Thanks to that, traveling on long international flights is not the same as flying domestically from one city to another. Plan accordingly.

Warning

Do not leave your belongings for any reason. Don’t look at strangers’ things and don’t let strangers see yours. Always keep your luggage with you.

Steps